🔗 Share this article

This local leader of Black River – a community described as “ground zero” for the devastating storm – has detailed the monstrous flooding and extensive devastation wrought by the catastrophe.

Speaking on the traumatic ordeal, the mayor described riding out the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“Our community of this area is in ruins,” he stated. “And that devastation is so severe that the national leader designated this area as ground zero.”

Several people from the town are reported dead, but the mayor noted hearing reports of other deaths that are still being verified due to connectivity and transportation challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were battered with strong gusts and a lot of rain,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of flooding at the response center. That was a frightening moment for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any more, because we were on the second floor, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

The mayor explained that Black River, situated in the severely affected south-western parish of the area, is without running water and electricity, and most buildings have lost their roofing. One official earlier characterized the town as flooded, with more than 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz, where roadways have been reduced to mud pits. Locals are now removing water from their homes and attempting to rescue their belongings.

Search and rescue operations and evaluations have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s vehicles and critical services such as fire, law enforcement, medical centers and grocery stores were “immensely damaged,” says Solomon.

The mayor is now concentrating on trying to help the neediest residents, while also dealing with the personal impact of the disaster.

“My vehicle was totally covered by water. The roofing was lost, so I fully grasp the suffering that people are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to focus on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this time,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of local currency to restore Black River after the hurricane's destruction. For now, he says, the main goal is removing debris from blocked routes, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to get the main roads and secondary routes here so that we can deliver relief supplies in. Most of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they will be unable to offer goods to individuals who are in dire straits at this moment,” he adds.

The prime minister has seen the damage first-hand, with an aerial tour of the region revealing the vast majority of roofs in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to rebuild Black River. But although it is destroyed, we can envision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and improved,” he informed reporters.

“It will be accomplished. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will overcome this challenge, and we will rebuild better,” he said.